yoga practice

Deep Sustenance

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It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom

you have studied, 

I want to know what sustains, 

from the inside, 

when all else falls away.

Tell me of a time when hope and faith wasn’t enough.  Tell me what sustains you when all that you have known, or relied on, falls away.  Tell me what you do to find your way back when you are lost?

When all that we have relied on falls away we have nothing to do but wait. How we wait is up to us.  Whether we wait with openness, or we close off, the choice is ours.  We either choose to LIVE or we move towards a death.

To choose life, we have to be willing to wait.  To ride the waves of life even when it seems impossible.  To wait for the waves to subside.

What sustains us when all else falls away are the things that we do that make waiting and staying open to life possible. These things are our practices that fill up the space when hope and faith are waiting to find us again.

For me, my practices are my foundation.  Without them, I am lost in life.  I know that these are the rituals that I must do while I lean towards faith and hope with anticipation that they are around the corner during the hard times of my life.  Without these practices, I know I would not be able to show up in life the way that I do.

  • daily power hour; setting my intention for the day, journal meditation, plan my day and review my commitments, create tasks to complete that support my dreams, read a motivational/spiritual passage.
  • walk in nature; rain, snow, shine.  No matter what I get at least one 30 minute walk each and everyday.   No matter the temperature because after all that is what hats and gloves are for.
  • bubble bath; beyond the practical reasons, I self-care soak at least once per day to get grounded and connected, to wash off the day’s experiences and energy, and to savor my body.

These daily practices sustain me and keep me from being lost in a big world with often big experiences while I wait for hope and faith to find me.

This week we will explore this on the mat (or chair) as we dive into our practices of movement and breath with the idea of deep sustenance.  We will wait out postures by following our breath and coming back into the moment of now.

Join me!

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True Yoga

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I often hear from people that they can’t do or are not good at yoga because they are not able to touch their toes or some other physical reason (excuse).

I used to get frustrated when I heard these silly statements because our western world has decided that yoga is about contorting our bodies into pretty little postures.

In truth, yoga is about union and creating space. Union first with yourself—as you are in THIS moment, which is a beautiful and magnificent light that is absolutely NOT defined by your physical ability or limitations, especially as it relates to yoga. Yoga is to create space in your mind by slowing down your thoughts and noticing the space between thoughts. Space in your body by lengthening and feeling sensation of stretching. Space in your spirit to connect with the greatness that you are.

So, when someone says to me that they can’t do or are not good at yoga, I sweetly offer them a chance to hear about some of my yoga students who courageously say yes and who are not limited by their own silly thoughts.

To me, this picture is what yoga is all about.

Yoga=Union

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The definition of yoga is essentially ‘union’. At the foundation it is to be in union with yourself, and then others through kindness and compassion.

I know that for many yoga is a form of gymnastic-like contortions with their very flexible body. It is also another place to compete and to improve. I get it.

My practice used to consist of every inversion I could achieve and I strived for “perfection” in my pose. I sought out yoga to get more flexible physically and to perfect something that at that time I felt needed perfecting. What I did not realize was that I could achieve all of that physical/external stuff in the gym or in a fitness class.

Over time though I realized that while I can stretch, build strength, achieve amazing results and impress myself I was no where near union with my Self. I was destroying my body. I was seeking the wow factor impressing others ego based external affirmations. But mostly I was lost.

And then I found the true essence of yoga.

Union.

Oneness.

And this had nothing to do with how deep my back could bend.

This gentleman has been practicing yoga with me for two years. He could care less about a handstand because his yoga is union. It is allowing me to move his mostly paralyzed body. To look into his beautiful green eyes and wonder what he would like to say if his mouth would just speak the words.

True union.

Despite his limitation from a traumatic brain injury, this man shows up. He is present.

After our session, he insists on “walking” me to the door to lift his hand for a handshake.

That is yoga at its core.

Union.

Calling 

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About 15 years ago, I began to listen to my intuition and to what my soul was calling me to do. I knew I was here to do great things, as we all are. 

It is my belief that we are all here to serve and make a difference in some capacity. Sometimes we get caught up in the thinking that it has to be something grand or famous, but the truth is even the simplest of lives can be the most impactful.  It isn’t about being seen, but rather meek in your actions to create a world that is more peaceful and more full of compassion and unity. 

When I began to get the nudges to look deep inside, I did so without an intention of a return. So often our culture teaches that you give to get. I was certain I was not going to fall into that. Instead, I listen to my gut and lived in a way that served my highest food with zero attachments to an outcome. 

Eventually, I was able to leave my day job (and a dysfunctional relationship) and now I do what I am called to do, and that is share yoga and wellness with people who are living with a disability. I specialize in brain injuries and seniors but I enjoy all types of people and my client base includes a spectrum of abilities and interests. 

My services include adaptive yoga, wellness coaching, essential oil education and level 1 healing touch.  Each day I head off to work I realize that this isn’t work, it is soul. 

Have you found your calling? If  you are still seeking, stop thinking so much and instead try a few of these ideas: 

  • Ask yourself this–“I am best when I am ________”. Be truthful. 
  • Journal about the things that bring you joy. They may be subtle like children laughing, making sure neighbors are taken care of, cooking, nature, laughter, etc. 
  • What are you passionate about and where do you speak up? Sometimes those “triggers” lead you toward something. 
  • Start to identify your everyday actions and interests that could lead you to a life of meaning. Cooking, sharing success with others, natural living, yoga, teaching others a skill, and more. 
  • Practice gratitude.  Just you being you is a worthy adventure. Celebrate who you are by identifying things about yourself you are grateful for. 
  • Stop comparing yourself. Your life journey is yours and yours alone. Remember that when we fall face down, that is often when we come up even stronger. Wipe off your dust and keep at it.